Improving the Achievement of College Biology Students Through the Use of Diagnostic Prescriptive Instruction.

Yeany, Russell H.; Adams, Wenda J.

This paper summarizes and compares three studies which used different approaches to diagnostic/prescriptive instruction: (1) voluntary diagnosis and remediation; (2) required diagnosis with no formal remediation; and (3) required diagnosis with prescribed remediation. It includes an examination of the influence of selected student entry characteristics on the effectiveness of the diagnostic/prescriptive instruction, including locus of control. Procedures and results of the three studies and conclusions regarding the influences of various forms of diagnostic/prescriptive instruction and selected student entry characteristics on achievement of university biology students are presented. (CS)